3 reasons why Sri Lanka don't need to worry despite Matheesha Pathirana's absence from ODI series
After losing the T20I series 3-0, Sri Lanka are up against the challenge of India in the 50-over format at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. Since the start of the bilateral series, the home side have been struggling with injuries to their bowlers, which has aggravated ahead of the ODI rubber.
After health concerns for Dushmantha Chameera and an injury to Nuwan Thushara, Dilshan Madushanka sustained a hamstring injury, while key pacer Matheesha Pathirana suffered a sprain in his shoulder.
In particular, Pathirana impressed while playing for Chennai Super Kings in the last two IPL seasons. He scalped 19 wickets in 12 games in 2023 and followed it by taking 13 wickets in six games this edition. Moreover, the right-arm pacer returned as Sri Lanka's finest bowler with five scalps in the T20I series, with 4/40 as the best figures.
In Pathirana's absence, the home team would certainly lack a potent pacer in their XI. However, there are a few reasons which would still keep them in good stead in the ODI series.
1) Presence of in-form top-order batters
The Sri Lankan team have in-form top-order batters. Their top three batters helped Jaffna Kings secure the LPL 2024 title.
Pathum Nissanka slammed 333 runs at a strike rate of 152.75, while Kusal Mendis garnered 329 runs at a strike rate of around 150. Meanwhile, Avishka Fernando was Sri Lanka's finest batter in the LPL 2024, smoking 374 runs at a strike rate of 162.60.
2) Colombo track likely to favor spinners
The Islanders might not have to bear the consequences of Matheesha Pathirana's absence because of the spin-friendly tracks at the R.Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. The first half of the first ODI saw Indian spinners pick up four out of eight wickets.
Earlier this year, Sri Lankan spinners Wanindu Hasaranga and Maheesh Theekshana were lethal against Zimbabwe in the ODI series in Colombo. In one of the games, Hasaranga finished with figures of 7/19, while Theekshana returned with 4/31. Hence, the duo along with the support of other slow bowlers, could help the team secure consistent breakthroughs.
3) Gives an opportunity for young pacers to showcase their talent
In the absence of Pathirana, the team currently has Asitha Fernando, Mohamed Shiraz and Eshan Malinga.
Fernando has played over 25 games across all formats for Sri Lanka and still needs to prove his wicket-taking abilities. Meanwhile, Mohamed Shiraz made his debut in the first ODI and Eshan Malinga is yet to feature for Sri Lanka.
Finding a spot in the standby list, Pramod Madushan has done well for Sri Lanka in the limited-overs format. He scalped eight wickets in the three-match ODI series against Afghanistan, while following it by two wickets in three ODI games against Bangladesh. If nurtured well, these pacers can be key performers in the near future for the Islanders.